The Addictive Brain

Professor Polk gives an overview of addiction and the effects it has on the brain. File size: 5.72GB

The Addictive Brain

We all are affected by addiction. Whether it’s a friend who can’t quit smoking, a colleague afflicted with alcoholism, or a relative abusing prescription drugs, we all know someone who suffers from some form of addiction—we may even have an addiction ourselves. According to some estimates, one in four Americans could be classified as an addict. However, many people use alcohol recreationally and don’t suffer from the psychological or physical symptoms of addiction. What is the difference between drug abuse, drug use, and clinical addiction? What is the cause of addictions? What happens when your brain uses drugs and why are addicts so prone to addiction?
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These are just some of the questions neuroscientists are trying to answer. They also look into the inner workings and functions of the brain. Addiction is often viewed as a lack of morality, character, will, or ability to make good decisions. But neuroscience offers a very different picture—one that can inform how we, as individuals and as a society, treat addicts and the problems caused by addiction. Professor Thad A.Polk, a University of Michigan researcher and award-winning professor, explains that addiction is a scientifically understood problem that can be traced back to neurobiology, genetics, and neuroscience. The Twelve eye-opening lectures The Addictive Brain This will change how you view addiction.

This course will teach you about the psychology of reward and positive reinforcement as well as theories of learning. You’ll then review the field of genetics—including studies of twins and other investigations that offer biological insights into behavior. You’ll learn how neurotransmitters communicate information between brain cells and how they influence many of the activities of our bodies and minds—including the experience of pleasure and our ability to make sound decisions.

After exploring the myriad ways in which humans learn and how the brain drives our actions, you’ll delve deep to see what happens at a neural level when someone sips coffee, smokes a cigarette, drinks alcohol, snorts cocaine, and more. The biology and psychology of addiction can be uncovered by studying how different drugs interact with the brain. This comprehensive overview is provided by The Addictive Brain covers not only addictive substances, but also addictive behaviors such as gambling—all through the lens of the latest scientific research and analysis.

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Many of us may have seen the famous anti-drug ad in which an actor compares our brains to fried eggs. That’s a powerful image, but it doesn’t tell us what actually happens when drugs enter your body and interact with neurochemical processes. We turn to neuroscience for a more detailed and interesting picture.

Professor Polk provides a basic overview of addiction and its effects on the brain. Then, he reveals how common drugs interact with the brain. These include nicotine, caffeine and alcohol. Professor Polk illustrates the process by using many animations that show how the drugs bind to neurochemical receptors. For example, you’ll learn how caffeine blocks receptors that are associated with drowsiness, cutting off the signals that normally make us want to sleep. You’ll also see how alcohol tends to inhibit neural transmission, producing a sedative and hypnotic effect.

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Along the way, you’ll discover many other fascinating facts about drugs and the human body. Take this example:

Inhaling cigarette smoke delivers nicotine to your brain within seven seconds. It is quicker than any other form of drug intake.
Marijuana can bind to receptors in many brain areas, which is why it has wide-ranging effects on mood and memory.
Cocaine was a wonder drug before it was banned. It was even included in the original Coca-Cola recipe.
Endorphins are released during a “runner’s high” The same receptors that heroin bind to, resulting in a milder form of euphoria.

It is amazing to see how unhealthy behaviors can mimic chemical addiction. When you go inside the brain of a compulsive gambler, you’ll find the same neurological mechanisms as you find in drugs addicts—as well as the same pattern of tolerance and withdrawal. Professor Polk concludes the course with an examination of other addictive behaviors—junk food, pornography, video games—and considers the sources of pleasure and abuse.

Learn more about possible treatment options

Along the way, you’ll learn not only how these drugs affect us and why we become addicted, but also what can be done about addiction. Science may provide a clinical description of addiction’s mechanisms, but ultimately, addiction is a human challenge. Knowing is just the first step, regardless of whether we are suffering from addiction ourselves or caring for someone who is.

With each of the drug categories you’ll study, you’ll learn about treatment options, including:

There are pharmacological treatment options to ease withdrawal symptoms
Cognitive behavioral therapy is used to address the root cause of cravings.
There are support groups for people like Gamblers Anonymous and Alcoholics Anonymous.

Relapse rates may be high depending on which drug you are using. The quit rate for heroin is lower than the 10 percent that succeeds in quitting smoking. An addict may be motivated to seek treatment if they understand the causes. This understanding can help loved ones and friends to see the addict and their addiction from a different perspective.